Karen Menuz, Ph.D.
Mentor
Department of Physiology & Neurobiology
Research in the Menuz lab examines the mechanisms underlying insect olfaction. Diseases spread by blood-feeding insects, such as mosquitos, sicken hundreds of millions of people worldwide each year. Vector navigation to humans for bloodmeals relies on detection of odors released from human sweat and breath. Our ultimate goal is to identify molecular targets for the development of novel insect repellents. Much of our research focuses on the fruit fly Drosophila due to its status as a powerful genetic model organism. We use RNASeq transcriptomic screens to identify candidate genes that may be involved in olfaction. We then use histology, electrophysiology, and behavioral assays to localize the gene within the antenna (the insect olfactory organ) and determine its contribution to olfaction. We are particularly interested in genes that contribute to signal transduction downstream of olfactory receptors and genes that support the function of the auxiliary cells that enwrap olfactory neurons.
